Name: Copycat Shamrock Shake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ½ gallon vanilla ice cream; 3 cups milk; 2 to 4 teaspoons mint extract (or more to taste); 2 to 4 drops green food coloring gel (adjust to achieve the desired color); Whipped topping; Green decorating sugar; 2 maraschino cherries

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This Shamrock Shake is a better-than-McDonald’s copycat recipe! This milkshake is so sweet and creamy, has just the right minty flavor, and is topped off with whipped cream, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries.

Side view of whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherry on a shake.

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Easy Homemade Shamrock Shake Recipe

We’ve probably all heard of the McDonald’s shamrock shake. That mint green milkshake that comes around once a year for St. Patrick’s Day.

Well, what if I told you that you could make one right at home any time of the year in just 10 minutes?

This homemade Shamrock Shake is so simple, requires just 4 main ingredients, and tastes just like the real thing!

Shamrock Shake Ingredients

You don’t need much to put together this homemade shake! Here’s a list of what you’ll need.

Vanilla Ice Cream – Use a good quality vanilla ice cream for the best flavor and texture.
Milk – I recommend whole milk for a creamier consistency, but whatever milk you have on hand will work. This thins the ice cream just the right amount to give it that milkshake consistency.
Mint Extract – Make sure you’re using mint extract rather than peppermint. They do have different flavors.
Food Coloring Gel – This is optional, but gives the mint shake that classic minty green color.
Toppings – We’re garnishing our shamrock milkshake with whipped topping, green decorating sugar, and maraschino cherries.

How Do You Make a Homemade Shamrock Shake?

This homemade shamrock shake comes together in a total of 10 minutes…or as fast as you can throw everything into the blender. So much quicker than a drive to your closest McDonald’s.

Scroll to the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and full instructions.

Using a blender, combine the ice cream, milk, mint, and food coloring until smooth and creamy.
Pour into the serving glasses of your choice, garnish, and serve.

Ingredients for a green milkshake in a blender.

Top down view of a green milkshake in a blender.

Tips for this Shamrock Milkshake

Look for mint extract. Not peppermint. Mint is what’s going to give you the most authentic shamrock shake flavor. Peppermint is going to taste more like a candy cane shake.
Add little bits of food coloring at a time until your desired color is reached. A little goes a long way!
The food coloring is optional! If you want to avoid any artificial color, you can leave it out. Your milkshake will taste the same, but just won’t have the color.
Want to make it dairy-free? Simply use a dairy-free ice cream, milk alternative, and your favorite dairy-free whipped cream.
Make it boozy with a splash of creme de menthe, vanilla vodka, or Irish whiskey.

Serving Suggestions

I recommend serving your homemade shamrock shake immediately for the best results. The texture is best fresh out of the blender!

It’s a delicious dessert all on its own, or you can get even more into the McDonald’s theme with a cheeseburger and a side of oven-baked French fries!

Top down view of a cherry and sprinkles on a green milkshake.

What is the Flavor of a Shamrock Shake?

Primarily, mint! A shamrock shake is made with a vanilla ice cream base that’s flavored with mint extract.

To achieve that minty vanilla flavor, we’re adding a dash of mint extract to vanilla ice cream. It’s so simple and tastes just like McDonald’s!

Storage

I do not recommend storing your shamrock shake for later. It’s best served immediately after blending!

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